Patents Assigned to MiniPumps, LLC
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Patent number: 11964129Abstract: In various embodiments, a drug pump includes a housing and, within the housing, an expandable drug reservoir at least part of which is exposed to a pressurized propellant. The propellant exerts a substantially constant pressure on the drug reservoir. A flow restrictor significantly limits outflow from the pump, and preferably has both a small diameter and a long path length, which acts to control the outflow from the drug reservoir. As a result, the pump produces a substantially constant outflow.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: MiniPumps LLCInventors: Jason Shih, Gregory Harbers, Richard Purvis, Miho Matsuoka, Andrew Urazaki, Mark Humayun, William Andrew Brandt, Atoosa Lotfi, Didier Sagan, Andrew Dunn
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Patent number: 11160631Abstract: A surgical sizer for creating a tissue pocket for an implantable medical device may include a replica of the device and a (preferably ergonomic) handle portion, optionally with marking features that facilitate marking the tissue for precise implant placement and alignment.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Michelle L. Journey, Jason Shih, Sean Caffey, Gregory Harbers
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Patent number: 10400759Abstract: Modular microfluidic channel structures for conducting liquid from a reservoir include a sensor for monitoring a parameter (such as flow rate or pressure) relating to liquid flowing therethrough. The microfluidic channel generally comprises a thermally insulating substrate made of one or more materials such as, e.g., glass, fused silica, parylene, and/or silicone.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Jason Shih, Jiangang Du, Blake W. Axelrod, Changlin Pang
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Patent number: 10390856Abstract: Surgical introducers aid surgeons in the implantation of medical devices. The introducer provides support and an even distribution of force for ease of insertion and prevention of damage to the medical device while protecting the tissue into which the device is implanted. A representative embodiment includes or consists of a locking device, a pair of forceps, a specially configured and/or angled head with a seat for the device to be implanted, and a gripping area.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Michelle Journey, Sean Caffey, Mark Humayun, John Huculak
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Patent number: 10369079Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention involve a refill apparatus comprising at least one pump, a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of reservoir fluid channels each associated with one of the reservoirs, a plurality of valves, each having a cracking pressure, for fluidically sealing the reservoir fluid channels and the outlet fluid channel, an outlet fluid channel fluidically connected to the reservoir fluid channels, and a needle having a lumen in fluid communication with the outlet fluid channel. A parameter such as a pressure level is monitored, and one or more pumps and various ones of the valves are actuated in accordance with a protocol comprising a sequence of steps whereby fluidic pathways are opened between different ones of the reservoirs and the needle in a washing and filling sequence, each of the steps being associated with an expected pressure level.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Andres Rodriguez, Pedrum Minaie, Tun Min Soe, Jason Shih, Andrew Dunn, Andrew Urazaki, Bin Wang, Fukang Jiang
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Patent number: 10357899Abstract: Tubular polymeric structures are formed by creating a convex mold conforming to a fluid pathway design, depositing a coating of polymer over the mold, and in situ removing the mold without drawing it against the polymer. The resulting structures are fabricated with flow-altering features.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLC.Inventors: Fukang Jiang, Andrew Dunn, Changgeng Liu
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Patent number: 10307530Abstract: In various embodiments, approaches to calibrating an implantable drug-delivery device feature a drug reservoir, an expandable electrolysis chamber, and an integrated strain gauge using a refill apparatus having one or more pumps, one or more refill reservoirs, an outlet fluid channel fluidically connected to the refill reservoir(s), and a needle having a lumen in fluid communication with the outlet fluid channel include inserting a needle into a refill port of the implantable drug-delivery device, monitoring a pressure change within the device, monitoring a pressure level of one or more components of the implantable drug-delivery device, and calibrating the monitored pressure level of the component(s) of the implantable drug-delivery device to the monitored pressure level of the outlet fluid channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Jason Shih, Andrew Dunn
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Patent number: 10286146Abstract: A system for refilling the drug reservoir of an implanted drug pump device may facilitate wireless data exchange between the refill system and the implanted device, e.g., to verify proper drug selection prior to commencement of the refill process. Via the wireless link, the drug pump device and refill system can exchange data such as, for example, refill information (including, e.g., a type of drug), a drug pump device history, a drug dosage log, and/or a drug-delivery protocol. Further, the refill system can facilitate reprogramming the implanted device wirelessly.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Jason Shih, Sean Caffey
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Patent number: 10240689Abstract: Microscale valves for use in, e.g., micropump devices, may be formed of a slitted diaphragm bonded o the interior of a valve tube. A bump in the diaphragm and/or a backward-leakage stopper may increase the breakdown pressure of the valve. A push-rod may be used to pre-load the valve membrane to thereby increase the cracking pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Po-Ying Li, Fukang Jiang, Changlin Pang, Natasha Yvette Bouey, Man Ting Chou, Atoosa Lotfi
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Patent number: 10224124Abstract: In various embodiments, welding washers are utilized to establish electrical connections between electrically conductive wires and electrically conductive pins.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Gregory Harbers, Ming Wei Hung, Fukang Jiang
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Patent number: 10123096Abstract: Systems and methods for maximizing the resonance frequency match between a reader and a controlled device interacting over a narrowband inductive link involve, in various embodiments, features of the controlled device, the reader, or both.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Jacques Paris, Didier Sagan
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Patent number: 10086537Abstract: Tubular polymeric structures are formed by creating a convex mold conforming to a fluid pathway design, depositing a coating of polymer over the mold, and in situ removing the mold without drawing it against the polymer.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2014Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Jason Shih, Andrew Dunn, Changgeng Liu, Brandon Curley
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Patent number: 9987417Abstract: In various embodiments, a tool is employed in filling a drug-delivery device. The tool may include, for example, a needle that is admitted through a fill port of the drug-delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Jason Shih, Yu-Chong Tai, Changlin Pang, Sean Caffey, Raymond Peck, Fukang Jiang, Mark Humayun
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Patent number: 9956340Abstract: An implantable device has an outer shell that includes an aperture through the housing of the device and, spanning the aperture, a membrane structure permeable to gas but not to liquid. In this way, excess gas may be vented from the device. The membrane and aperture are designed to discourage or even prevent tissue ingrowth.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Bin Wang, Jason Shih, Gregory Harbers, Fukang Jiang, Sean Caffey
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Patent number: 9919099Abstract: Implanted drug pump devices can be refilled via a fill port in the drug reservoir that includes a self-resealable septum.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Jason Shih, Julian D. Kavazov
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Patent number: 9861525Abstract: Embodiments of method of manufacturing an implantable pump, including providing an upper layer comprising a dome structure for housing a drug chamber and a cannula in fluid communication with the drug chamber, providing a middle deflection layer adjacent the drug chamber, providing a bottom layer comprising electrolysis electrodes, and bonding the upper layer, middle deflection layer, and bottom layer to form the pump.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Changlin Pang, Fukang Jiang, Jason Shih, Sean Caffey, Mark S. Humayun, Yu-Chong Tai
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Patent number: 9849238Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention utilize a closed-loop feedback control system to ensure accurate drug delivery. This control system may, for example, utilize a flow sensor to measure the volume of delivery and an intelligent control algorithm to anticipate and compensate for overdoses and underdoses. Feedback control systems in accordance herewith can be applied to any piston- or plunger-driven pump system utilizing sensors that measure flow directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, adjustments are made during a “priming” stage when liquid is pumped through the internal fluid path but does not exit the pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Po-Ying Li, Shengtao Li, Jonathan K. Lee, Patrick Ryan, Alice Lai, Sean Caffey, Mark S. Humayun
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Patent number: 9845895Abstract: Microscale valves for use in, e.g., micropump devices, may be formed of a slitted diaphragm bonded to the interior of a valve tube. A bump in the diaphragm and/or a backward-leakage stopper may increase the breakdown pressure of the valve. A push-rod may be used to pre-load the valve membrane to thereby increase the cracking pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Po-Ying Li, Fukang Jiang, Changlin Pang, Natasha Yvette Bouey, Man Ting Chou, Atoosa Lotfi
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Patent number: 9623174Abstract: In various embodiments, an implantable pump includes a cannula. The pump (e.g., the cannula thereof) may include, for example, flow sensors, pressure sensors, filters, and/or other components.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Changlin Pang, Jason Shih, Fukang Jiang, Sean Caffey, Mark Humayun, Yu-Chong Tai
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Patent number: 9603997Abstract: Implanted drug pump devices can be refilled with a refill needle inserted through a fill port in the drug reservoir of the drug pump device. Proper needle insertion may be verified visually or using electrical, magnetic, optical, acoustic, or other suitable sensing mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: MINIPUMPS, LLCInventors: Mark Humayun, Yu-Chong Tai, Nenad Jelisavcic, Julian D. Kavazov, Fukang Jiang